Many Pools - Zion National Park

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Zion National Park

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.3 miles / 3.7 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: For those who like the leisurely laid back trail of Emerald Pools, but could do without the bumper to bumper traffic, Many Pools is for you. Only sightly more difficult (not a maintained trail) Many Pools offers the beginner hiker (and family) a glimpse into how wind and water create slot canyons. Sometimes this hike is referred to as "Root Canal" because of the shape on a topographical map. I have also see it referred to as "Twins" or "A Thousand Pools".

I found the trip to be easy - moderate and I enjoyed seeing the back country on the Eastern Side of the Canyon. If you continue up the Many Pools Canyon you will (after much bushwacking) connect with the Deertrap Mountain Trail. Be WARNED that this portion of the trail is considered strenuous and not for Beginners or Families.

Special Thanks to Bo Beck and Tanya Milligan for their Zion National Park hiking guide. Their link can be found under "Other Links and Resources".

Download track only to GPS device see "Trip Report" under "Other Links and Resources".

Tips: Drive along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, heading east from the small tunnel there is a large pull-out .8 miles from the end of the small tunnel on a large turn in the road where you park. Continue on foot 150 yards up the road (east) as of this writing it is at the end of the asphalt curb & gutter, just before you come to the next turn in the road, cross to the other side and drop down into the bowl on the north side of SR-9. Be very careful crossing the road as it is a blind curve and any car will not see you.

Backcountry Route! Safely hiking backcountry routes depend on your own good judgment, adequate preparation, and constant attention to your surroundings. Your safety is your responsibility.

No Permit Required

Bring a good camera (not like the $49 digital camera I took the attached pictures with!) Also it is best to view Many Pools in the Spring or just after a Summer rain. Be careful of the slick rock as the moss becomes very slick after receiving moisture.

Points of Interest

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Parking

Drive toward Mt. Carmel using Highway 9, from the small tunnel look for a large rounding turn with plenty of parking .8 miles from the end of the small tunnel.

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Walk along road to trailhead

After you park, continue on foot 150 yards east (toward Mt. Carmel Junction), as the asphalt curb comes to an end, carefully look both ways (blind turn for vehicles) and cross Hwy-9 and drop down into the gully.

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Wide slickrock slab

At the bottom of the gully you are greeted with a large slab of slickrock, sand and a nice easy stroll along the creek bottom. Working your way up the small slickrock falls you are greeted by the first "desert tank".

Caution: this is a nice family friendly hike, but care must be given to small children. Treat each pool like you would a swimming pool and keep children safe. You will encounter large deep tanks on this hike with very smooth edges making it difficult to extract oneself should you fall into the water.

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Chockstones

Continuing up the slickrock waterway you encounter a deeper than normal split in the rock. Taking a step down to a small ledge and looking back you'll notice two small chockstones wedged into the split. For anyone who watched the movie "128 hours" chockstones make for interesting viewing.

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Gaining altitude

Gaining altitude now, the view becomes enthralling and the pools become larger and deeper.

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Eco system

Each pool becomes it own unique Eco system. Frogs are abundant. As you approach each pool listen for the sounds of frogs seeking refuge in the water as evidenced by the constant splashes.

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Alcove

This alcove in the trail is the normal turn around for most seeking a nice easy walk along Many Pools. Those seeking further adventures can scramble up and around the alcove to the left. I believe the scramble above is worth it just to see the series of pools above the alcove. Deep and layered on top of each other the "desert tanks" are created by the water cutting it way down to the dryfall above the alcove.

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Deeper Tanks

Several large Pools exist in this area and care must be given to step around some of the larger Tanks. A very interesting array of smooth channels move the water between a system of tanks.

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Connect with Deertrap Mountain Trail

If you continue up the Many Pools Canyon you will (after much bushwacking) connect with the Deertrap Mountain Trail. Be WARNED that this portion of the trail is considered strenuous and not for Beginners or Families.

Not a big fan of bushwacking I turned around at this point.

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Hillside wandering and Dead Tree Point

Turning around and heading back down the canyon a well worn trail moves higher along the hillside and away from the stream bed. Following this path gives you a different perspective of the creek bottom and an appreciation of the impossible loudness of the "croaking" from the frogs below.

A point emerges at the end of the trail and a tree has grown out of a crack in the rock. Now dead, the tree makes an excellent place to rest and enjoy the view of the road far below.

Pictures in this guide taken by: steve625

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Many Pools was my first hike (off the beaten trail) in 2011. Beautiful spring day. I just wish it would have lasted longer!
Visited on Apr 29, 2011

by steve625 on Jul 02, 2011